State government: The government of one of the 50 states
Governor: The head of a state's executive branch
State legislature: The group of elected people who make state laws
State capital: City where the state government meets
State capitol: The building where the legislature meets
State constitution: Each state's own written plan of government
State supreme court: The highest court in most states
Local government: Government of a city, town, village or county
City government: Runs services for a city, led by a mayor and council
Mayor: Elected head of a city or town
City council: Group that makes local laws called ordinances
Ordinance: A law made by a city or county government
County: A region within a state with its own government
County seat: The town where a county's government is located
Sheriff: Elected law officer for a county
Town meeting: A gathering where townspeople vote on local issues
School board: Elected group that oversees local public schools
Superintendent: Head of a school district
Special district: A local government for one purpose, like water or parks
Public services: Services governments provide: schools, roads, police, fire, libraries, parks
Police department: Works to keep the community safe and enforce laws
Fire department: Fights fires and responds to emergencies
Public library: Free place to borrow books and learn
Public works: Departments that maintain roads, water and sewers
Public transportation: Buses, trains and subways that serve the community
Taxes (local): Property and sales taxes help pay for local services
Property tax: A tax on land and buildings
Sales tax: A tax added to the price of items you buy
Income tax: A tax on money people earn
License: Official permission, like a driver's license
Zoning: Rules about how land can be used
Building permit: Permission to build or change a building
Election (local): Voters choose mayors, council members, school boards and judges
Zoning board: Group that decides how land may be used
Federalism: Power shared between national and state governments
Powers of states: Run schools, hold elections, regulate businesses and set driving rules
Powers of the federal government: Print money, declare war, make treaties, run the military
Shared powers: Taxing, building roads and making laws are done by both
Statehood: A territory becomes a state when Congress approves
Territory: Land belonging to the US that is not a state
Home rule: Local authority to run its own affairs
City charter: A city's founding document and rules for its government
Township: A form of local government in some states
Tribal government: Federally recognized Native nations govern themselves
Municipality: A city, town or village with local government
Urban: City area
Rural: Countryside area
Suburb: Community near a city
District attorney: Local lawyer who prosecutes crimes for the government
Local judge: Judge in a municipal or county court
Public hearing: Meeting where citizens speak about a proposed rule
Petition (local): Citizens collect signatures to ask the government to act
Public comment: Time at meetings for people to speak
Volunteer fire company: Local firefighters who serve without pay in many towns
Emergency services: 911 services for fire, medical and police needs
911: Number to call in an emergency in the US
Recycling program: Local service that collects and processes recyclable materials
Parks department: Maintains parks and playgrounds
Health department: Works to protect public health, like checking restaurants
Community center: Place that offers classes and activities
Budget (local): Plan for how a city or county will spend money
Why local government matters: It handles many things you use every day
Governor's powers: Signs or vetoes bills and leads the state's executive branch
Lieutenant governor: Second in command in many states
Attorney general (state): The state's chief lawyer
Secretary of state (state): Official who often oversees elections and records
National Guard: Military units that can serve under the governor or the president

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/state-and-local-government